Police readied for second fees demonstration

Student leaders emboldened by protests in London 13 days ago will hold a day of direct action tomorrow designed to bring dozens of campuses and schools to a halt alongside renewed protests in the capital.

Protesters occupied a building at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies yesterday, as well as rooms at UWE Bristol and Manchester Metropolitan University, ahead of sit-ins planned at around 40 institutions.

Scotland Yard said it was likely to deploy more officers for a protest against fee rises at Trafalgar Square tomorrow, which will be followed by protests at the Liberal Democrat headquarters and Downing Street.

Police, who were caught by surprise when violence erupted at Millbank Tower on 10 November, appealed for protesters to inform them of their plans to allow an "appropriate and proportionate" response.

Fringe groups are becoming involved with the student fees issue. Meltdown 2017, an anti-capitalist group at the G20 protests last year, plans to carry out a mock execution of Nick Clegg tonight outside a lecture given by the Deputy Prime Minister in London.